THOMAS’ MOTHER WILL BE IN THE STANDS

Mother of Broncos star coming to Denver to see him play for first time.

On Sunday, Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas’ mother will see him play football in person for the first time. His sister, Tyeshia Smith, told The Denver Post that Katina Smith will travel to Denver on Saturday and stay through the weekend to attend the AFC divisional playoff game against the Steelers.

Sunday will be a special day for Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.

His mother, Katina Smith, will see him play football in person for the first time.

Thomas’ sister, Tyeshia Smith, told The Denver Post that their mother will travel to Denver on Saturday and stay through the weekend to attend the Broncos’ divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“She said she’s ready. She’s excited,” said Tyeshia Smith, a sophomore basketball player at Darton State in Albany, Ga.

Katina Smith was convicted in 2000 for her role in a cocaine ring that she and Thomas’ grandmother, Minnie Pearl Thomas, ran from their Georgia home.

Katina Smith was one of 46 nonviolent drug offenders who had their sentences commuted by President Barack Obama last July. Shewas released froman Atlanta halfway house in November.

More than 70,000 fans will attend Sunday’s game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, but for D. T. one will matter most. He has been waiting for this day since he was drafted. He has showcased his talent to the world his whole life, and now he will get one day to show off in front of his mother.

“Itwould mean a lot. Itwould be her first game. I would be excited,” Thomas said earlier in the week. “I know she’ll be excited. Itwould mean a lot to see her first game live.”

She had towait 60 days after herNov. 9 release froma halfway house to be cleared by her probation officer for out- of- state travel.

Sunday’s game won’t be Katina Smith’s only recent first. She saw her daughter play basketball for the first timeWednesday.

“I had to get used to it because it was my first time seeing her in the stands,” Tyeshia Smith said.

She said her mother cheered loudly, but the nerves didn’t get to her.

The resultwas a 73- 57 victory over East Georgia State. Tyeshia led her team with 22 points. Her mother was smiling throughout the game, and especially after each basket.

“After, she took pictures and said she was proud of how I played,” Tyeshia Smith said.

Because she has a game Saturday, Tyeshia Smith said she will not be joining her mother on the trip to Denver.

Basketball calls, but she said she plans to come to Denver after the season to visitThomas if she can.

She knows Sundaywill be special for both her brother and mother.

Thomas, typically reserved, received a burst of energy earlier in the seasonwhen his mother was released from the halfway house.

He couldn’t contain his excitement. Like a kid on Christmas morning, he gleamed around the Denver locker room showing his mother’s picture to his teammates and coaches.

Sunday he will get to hug her while wearing a Broncos jersey, hoping that he can help guide his 12- 4, top- seeded team to a playoff victory.

“I know it’ll be emotional,” Thomas said in November. “I’m sure I’ll break down and start crying, and she will too.”